I see MINI becoming irrelevant in the next several years. They created a cult following, but the diversity in offerings will certainly water down and thin out that following, IMO. The are losing the original concept of small and nimble and replacing it with the same bunk that the other manufacturers are offering.

...all the while introducing the 1 series which will pull the MINI fence sitters over to the BMW brand or send them packing for the Audi camp and the 2010 A1.

I've got mixed feelings about this one. I think I actually like this better than the Clubman, but for only one reason. My wife loves having a small SUV to haul around whatever she needs to. The idea of having two MINIs in the driveway is enticing. At the same time, I hate that MINI has even ventured away from the original R50/R53 idea. It's just taken away some of the mystique of the nameplate.

I have mixed feelings too. However, i wanna see a full shot on one slammed, then ill let you know how i feel.

Anyone, have any shots of the whole car?

I dont think they're that far a long. People have posted pics of them being tested supposedly....but it looks exactly like a clubman with a one inch lift kit (to me, the clubman already looks like an SUV with the stock 3 inches of wheel gap)

I like my R53 more and more every day. I've got to say one big factor in why I bought it was because they're rare, with the R56 production numbers, the Clubman, and now the SAV I feel it's losing a lot of the "exotic" quality I love so much.